Finding the Best Choice in Back Pain Treatment

Since there are many causes of back pain, there are also many back pain treatments to choose from. Some are geared towards getting to the root of the problem by eliminating the original reason for the pain, and others focus on strengthening the muscles around the back, hips and abdomen to make the area more resistant to injury and pain. Depending on where your back pain is and how it began, you can search for a back pain treatment that is most effective for you. It is a good idea to check with your doctor before beginning any back pain treatment, since your doctor may be able to pinpoint the exact cause of your pain and recommend the treatments that stand the greater chance for relieving or eliminating your pain.

Back Pain Treatment at Home

There are many things that you can do at home to treat your back pain. If you have strained your back in some way and the pain is severe, you can begin with bed rest that will take the pressure off of your back and allow the injured area to heal. If you decide that bed rest is the best course of action, lie on your back in bed with your knees and feet elevated with a pillow or two. If you prefer to lie on your side, bend your knees and place a pillow between them. Do not spend more than a day or two in bed, since too much bed rest can actually be counterproductive to the healing process.

For pain that is more chronic in nature, you can try some exercises at home to treat your back pain by strengthening the muscles in the back, as well as the abdominal and hip muscles that support your back. These exercises should be done every other day without fail for maximum benefit. For pain that interferes with your daily activities you can try an over-the-counter medication for pain, such as acetaminophen or ibuprofen. Do not take any medication over an extended period of time without checking with your doctor, since long term use of many of these medicines can cause dangerous side effects in some people.

Another home treatment for back pain that is effective for many is the use of ice or heat on the area where the pain originates from. Never use a heating pad on the highest setting or place ice directly on your skin. You can also try a topical ointment that may soothe aching muscles, although the effectiveness of these creams has never been proven. Activity is usually the best medicine, so try to get up and going as much as you can and as soon as you are able.

When to see your Doctor

If home treatments are not effective, you can talk to your doctor about other back pain treatment options. Some doctors will prescribe physical therapy for treating their back pain patients, and this has been effective for many back pain sufferers. There are also some prescription medicines that can be taken as a part of back pain treatment, although few of these have been proven to work particularly well.